'Cane Pole Bandit' Lands More Jail Time

June 3, 1987

TAVARES — ''Cane Pole Bandit'' Willie Charles Hall was sentenced Tuesday to 2 1/2 more years in prison, bringing his prison term to five years. He will serve those sentences before being returned to Lake County to serve one additional year in the county jail.

Hall, 43, charged with 11 burglary cases and suspected in as many as 40 more, was arrested by Eustis police and accused of using a cane fishing pole to hook handbags and various personal belongings from Eustis homes.

In some cases, Hall was accused of going into residences and taking various items.

Hall, of Leesburg, was tried three times, losing each time. He defended himself in two of the trials, claiming that a Eustis police officer faked evidence to frame him.

Although court files contain eight pending additional cases against Hall, he will be transferred to the state prison system to begin his sentences before those cases are disposed of.